David Oyelowo

The 59-year-old The Oprah Winfrey Talk-show star will produce the movie Selma, in which her Butler co-star David Oyelowo will play the lead role, according to reports.

"It's a subject matter close to Oprah's heart. The producers are behind some of the most forward-thinking movies of last year, and they are all coming together," said Ava DuVernay, the director of the movie.

The film tells the story of a group of black marchers who attempt to walk from Selma in Alabama, to nearby Montgomery in order to gain the right to vote in 1965. However, the protesters find themselves in the crosshairs of the police.

Winfrey will produce with Brad Pitt through his Plan B Productions company which has also produced award-winning movie 12 Years a Slave.